Finding My Home Abroad Past Review
By Jessica G (Communication Arts, Wartburg College) - abroad from 08/25/2014 to 12/12/2014 with
Arcadia: Dublin - Trinity College Dublin
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from my semester abroad that it is difficult for me to encapsulate it in a few sentences. However, I find it best to describe my knowledge and growth in terms of learning from the world, not learning from the classroom. I learned about the culture of another country and about the similarities that can be found among mankind. I also learned about inherent differences that exist between people of different parts of the earth. I learned more about myself and what I truly want to gain from the time that I have been given, and also about what I want to give back. I can definitely say with confidence that my experience in Ireland was worth my time and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $150 every week on food and household items. However, if the cost of travelling (i.e. flights and hostels) is accounted for this figure increases substantially. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Before going on the program I was interested in learning all about Ireland. Thus, when I enrolled in classes at Trinity College, I decided to take Irish history courses. I did not realize that these were upper-level courses designed for students who had been studying Irish history since kindergarten and thus I fared very poorly. I wish I had known to take classes where I had more background knowledge rather than enrolling in them simply because I thought they would be interesting. I wish I also knew that it wasn't going to be as scary as people said it would be. Before going, I heard tales of people who found it difficult to adjust to a different culture and would cry themselves to sleep. I kept waiting for this period to hit me, but it never did. Rather, I fully immersed myself in Ireland and tried not to think about the day when I would have to leave. I wish I had known that it really was going to be the best time of my life so far so I didn't need to worry about burning myself out. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
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